| • Science | • People | • Locations | • Timeline |
is a military force in Japan that was established after the end of World War II. The force has been engaged in no real combat but has been engaged in some peacekeeping operations.
The Japanese military is severely limited by Article 9 of the Japanese constitution that renounces force as a means of settling international disputes and prohibits the creation of an army, navy, and air force. The exact limits of Article 9 is a controversial issue in Japan, but it has been interpreted as allowing for self-defense forces. Thus the JSDF has a very limited oversea capability, lacks long range offensive capabilities like long range anti ground missiles, air-refueling ( as of 2004), Marines or amphibious units, special forces, large cache of ammunitions, or ROE (Rules of Engagement). Japan's USD $42.6 billion/year budget makes it the fourth largest military spender in the world, after the big three -- United States, Russia and the People's Republic of China. About 50% of that is spent on the personnel and rests are split on supplies, new weapons, upgrades, etc.[1]
As a reflection of the forces' role, the Japanese term 軍 ("gun"), referring to a military force, and the English terms "military", "army", "navy", and "air force" are never used in official references to the JSDF.
The first overseas deployment of the Japanese military under UN since World War II occurred in 1992. The troops were sent to Cambodia to watch over the first free election. The first overseas deployment without an UN agreement occurred in 2004. The troops were sent to Iraq as peace keepers.
Self-Defense Forces numbered about 246,400 in 1992: Ground Self-Defense Force 156,000, Maritime Self-Defense Force 44,400, and Air Self-Defense Force 46,000. Reserves 48,400.
Military Units: Five armies, five maritime districts, and three air defense forces. Main bases in Hokkaido, eastern HonshuHonshu is the largest island of Japan, called the Mainland it is south of Hokkaido across the Tsugaru Strait, north of Shikoku across the Inland Sea, and north-east of Kyushu across the Shimonoseki Strait. Worldwide, it is either the seventh or eighth lar, central and western HonshuHonshu is the largest island of Japan, called the Mainland it is south of Hokkaido across the Tsugaru Strait, north of Shikoku across the Inland Sea, and north-east of Kyushu across the Shimonoseki Strait. Worldwide, it is either the seventh or eighth lar and ShikokuShikoku (, "four provinces") is the smallest and least populous of the four main islands of Japan. The Shikoku region--comprising the entire island of Shikoku covers about 18,800 square kilometers and consists of four prefectures: Ehime, Kagawa, Kochi, an, and KyushuKyushu is the third largest island of Japan and most southerly and westerly of the four main islands. An ancient name for Kyushu is Saikaido. It is considered the birthplace of Japanese civilization. Population: 13. 44 million (1995). Area: 35,640 kmē..
Military branches: Japan Ground Self-Defense Force ( ArmyAn army comprises all of a nation's land-based military forces or a specific large military force. Military land forces An army is a military organization. The word army can refer to any armed force, or more specifically a force primarily designed for lan), Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ( NavyA navy is the branch of the military that operates primarily on water. Most (but not all) armed forces make considerable distinction between the land-based warfare of an Army, the sea-based warfare of a Navy, and the air-based warfare of an Air Force ofte), Japan Air Self-Defense Force ( Air Force)
Equipment: Ground Self-Defense Force: medium tanks, reconnaissance vehicles, armored personnel carriers, towed and self-propelled howitzers, mortars, single rocket and multiple rocket launchers, air defense guns, surface-to-surface missiles, antitank missiles, fixed-wing aircraft, attack helicopters, and transport helicopters. Maritime Self-Defense Force: diesel submarines, guided missile destroyers, frigates with helicopters, frigates, patrol and coastal combatants, mine warfare ships, amphibious ships, auxiliaries, ground based fixed-wing aircraft, and helicopters. Air Self-Defense Force: ground attack aircraft, fighters, reconnaissance aircraft, airborne early warning aircraft, transport aircraft, surface-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles, air-to-air missiles, and air-defense control and warning units.
Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 30,259,247 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 26,139,516 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 771,452 (2000 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $42.9 billion (FY98/99)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 0.9% (FY98/99) Japan keeps direct defense expenses at about 1 percent of GNP for political reasons.
Foreign Military Treaty: Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security with United States (1960); can be revoked on one-year's notice by either party and is updated by minutes periodically.
Police Forces: Independent municipal and local police forces, all under supervision of National Police AgencyNational Police Agency National Police Agency (Japan) National Police Agency (South Korea). in 1993. National Rural Police at prefecture level.